I have a former employee that now does commission based contract work. He is waiting for his first payment. He asked me today to make the check payable to his nonprofit organization. His work is unrelated. His contract with us is with him as an individual.

I'm objecting and find it unethical. I know I can say no because the contract is not with the nonprofit, but could he ask me to do this?

Help?

Sounds like a tax dodge for him and might also be interpreted as attempt by you to make payment for work appear to be a charitable donation.
He could also come back and say you never paid for the work.
I wouldn't get involved with it. Make sure you get a good receipt with the name of the company or individual you have the contract with.

You write the check to who the contract is to.